Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-04
PALM SUNDAY.
LARGE CONGREGATIONsAT THE CHURCHES,
YESTERDAY.
4 Sketch Of Holy Week, and The Jewish
Feast Of Unleaysnsd
Bread.


in Holy Week, aad as such was celebrated
in an especial manner in number Of city
churches and at the Catholic Church in
Beliaire. The services incident to the day
the triumphal entry Of
Christ into Jerusalem, five days before His
crucifxion. The date OF the first celebra-
ton of the event, like many others of our
ohservances, is unknown, but it
certainly has been feature of the Catholic
creed for eleven hundred years. At the
Catholic Churches of the city the day was
observed with the usual ceremonies, IA
miliar to most of our readers, and the beau
tiful weather made the attendance of the
faithful very large. At Rome the Process
sion of the Palms, in which the Pope takes
part, is among the most striking of the
picturesque ceremonies which Holy Week,
running through the coming six days to
Easter, ushers in.
The present week is one frought with
unusual interest to Christians Of all de-
nominations. The season has been oh
served during many centuries under a
variety of names. 1t has been called Great
Week, The Week Of the Holy Passion"
The Vacant Week. The Penitential
Week, " and so on. In the Catholic Church
the special characteristics of the week are
increased solemnity and penitential rigor.
If any of the ordinary church festivals
fall within the week they are postponed
until Easter has passed. All instrumental
music ceases, the affairs are stripped of their
ornaments, pictures are yelled, and the
distribution Of aims and deeds of mercy
are of increased frequency. At one time
manual labor was suspended during the
entire week. There are generally services
every day in the churches, but especially
on Spy Wednesday, Holy or Maundy
Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Satur-
day.
On Thursday the Office of the ''TenebrG"
will be chanted by the Clergy of the Ca
thedral. This is most solemn service,
and will be performed with the most exact
regard TO the time-hOnored usages and
ceremonies of the church. SO long as
Christians spent the greatest part of the
nights during Holy Week, especially the
last four days, in general watchings in
the churches, this Office was said ut
midnight. 1t is now, however, generally
given on Wednesday evening, being
the mathis of the Office Of Thursday, an
ticipated the evening foregoing. II is
called the office of the "Tenebre," from
the Latin word which signifies darkness;
for, toward the end, all the lights are cX-
tinguished, both to express the deepest
mourning, and in memory of the darkness
which covered the earth at the time of the
crucifixion. In a triangular candlestick,
placed on the right or epistle side of the
altar, are set fifteen candles, seven
on each side and one at the top.
The candles on each side are put out,
one after every psalm, beginning from
the lowest toward the gospel side, then on
the opposite. After these fourteen are ex-
tinguished, the white candle on top being
left burning, while the 'Benedictus" is
sung the six candles on the altar are put
out, one after each verse. At the begin
ming of the verse after the "Bcnedictus, F"
the white candle Is taken down from the
triangular candlestick and hid under the
altar, while the "Miserere" psalm and the
prayer are recited, after which il is brought
out again. This is very ancient rite.
Indeed, the solemn rites used by the church.
especially on great festivals, are said to be
of primitive antiquity.
Thursday is especially commemorative
of the Lords Supper, but there are various
other services, such as the conservation Of
the oil used in baptism. These oils are Of
three kinds, and are used by the church
in the administration of the sacrament of
the church. l. The oil of the sick. 2.
The oil of catechumens, used in baptism.
8. The chrism, also used in baptism, con-
tirmation and conservation Of bishops,
churches, etc. The two first are natural
olive oils, and the third mix
ture of oil and balsam. Formerly the
holy oils were c0nsecrated on
Easter eve, Immediately before the cere-
mony of baptism, but it was afterward
changed to Thursday to allow of distribu-
ton to churches at "a distance by Satur-
day, when every CITRATE .blesses the hap.
tismal font, and for the rite Of baptism on
that day.
At the Cathedral on Holy Thursday,
the service will consist of solemn pOnti-
fetal mass, which will be celebrated by
the bishop. During this service the bless
ing of the oil and the procession OF the
blessed sacrament will take place.